250's.
Last night was a complete nightmare that I don't want to talk about, but everything's fine now. So today I went motorcycle browsing to cheer myself up and lo, it really worked. It's still going to be a good while until I actually get anything, but it's fun to shop and good to be informed.
I want a 250 cruiser just to start out with and tool around town on. I think I've nixed out the Honda Rebel. It's smaller than the Suzuki's I learned to ride on and I probably don't want to start smaller if I'm going to be working my way up. And everytime I've sat on one the battery block under the seat rubs the underside of my thighs. I don't like it.
Found a couple of used, well priced Suzukis, which I'm already comfortable on and all. The only think I don't like about them is that the foot brake is kind of high and I practically have to lift my leg up to get my toe over. Maybe not that bad, but it's kind of a pain. Our instructors even pointed it out but didn't say anything about it being adjustable. I love the little flip up that the fender does over the back wheel, and I like the wide fender up front. And the fanning, tilted exhaust is pretty slick. It might actually be my favorite little cruiser, visually.
Then one place had a Yamaha V-Star that I loooved. It was really comfortable, I liked the size and balance, the handlebars had this neat curve to them. And V-Twin engines are just so sexy. The engine key was down by where the fuel valve usually is, which was kind of strange, but it keeps the controls up top more simple. It was brand new and pretty pricey, and they only had maroon, but it felt so good and was wicked cool. I've always loved Yamaha's bikes though. I think they just quit making Virago's for the V-Stars, so I might find and like a used Virago 250.
I looked around at helmets too. The ones at Kent's were crazy expensive and sorted by brands, not styles. But Max's (which I like a lot more all around) had good prices and I think even more selection. As much as I've vowed to be as safe as possible, I really hated how the full face helmets feel. Plus, I'm going to be tooling around town at 47mph. It'd be different on the highways. I really liked some regular ones with face-shields though. I could wear sunglasses/goggles underneath the shield and be golden. And they were all DOT approved and well priced.
I'm not sure what to do about a jacket. I love the leather of course, but it's freaking hot in the summer here. I don't want to bake every time I come to a stop. They make ventilated, breathable materials that'll still keep your skin on in case of a fall. I want something I can wear anytime though. Must shop shop shop.
And I must just point out how cool bikers are. I don't mean in the tattoed, living free, born-to-ride thing. I mean, they're friendly and helpful and fun. The guy that helped me at Max's admitted he was a sport-bike fanatic but he answered all of my questions and encouraged me to look at all of their cruisers and was really helpful. There were two women looking at scooters and getting just as much help and having fun. At Kent's me and some older black guy struck up a conversation about first bikes. It seems like a subculture that would be kind of in-the-club only, but everyone I've met has been really diverse and really cool.